A Lancaster woman was recently sentenced to 4-9 years in state prison after pleading guilty to dealing the fentanyl that killed a 30-year-old woman.

Tasha L. Vargas, 35 of Lancaster, pleaded guilty to a felony charge of drug delivery resulting in death.

On January 14, 2021, around 11:32 a.m., members of the East Lampeter Township Police Department were dispatched to the Budget Host Inn at 2140 Lincoln Highway East for the report of an unconscious female.

Officers found a deceased female in the bathroom of the hotel room and found a driver’s license that identified the victim.

Interviews and video footage depicted the victim entering the hotel via a rear entrance around 3:50 a.m. on January 14 and met up with Vargas. The victim and Vargas entered a room that was registered to Vargas, whose driver’s license was on record with the hotel for that room.

Police also recovered a laptop that contained a Facebook messenger thread between the victim and Vargas negotiating the drug purchase on January 14, with Vargas stating she had “Real d not fetty” or heroin and not fentanyl.

The Lancaster County Coroner’s Office listed the victim’s cause of death as acute fentanyl and heroin toxicity.

East Lampeter Township Detective Sergeant Preston Gentzler filed charges, which were approved by Assistant District Attorney Deborah Greathouse.

If you or someone you know needs help regarding drug addiction, visit the Lancaster County Drug and Alcohol Commission’s brochure that provides many resources.

MEDIA CONTACT: Sean McBryan, semcbryan@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @SeanMcBryanLanc.